Chapter 8: Fortune-telling

Then, the attention-seeking Lu Yang dog began his performance.

He meticulously recounted how wonderful his Yangyang was, and how he had fallen in love at first sight, a love that would last for eternity. The screen was filled with teary-eyed emojis, almost unbearable to look at.

It was clear that his family spoiled him to an outrageous degree. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have developed such a personality. Despite having a high intelligence rating on the System Panel, his behavior was consistently foolish and childish.

Yet, it was hard to dislike him; he simply made people envious.

After countless screen-filling messages, perhaps he had vented enough for the time being. He sent a tearful emoji, asking Liang Jian why he wasn’t replying, and if he didn’t care about him.

[Liang Jian: .]

[Alpha Lu: TAT]

Liang Jian was quite magical, easily drawing people into his symbolic expressions.

Watching Lu Yang flood the screen with messages, Qin Qing suddenly had an idea.

[Group Owner Qin Qing changed the group name to “Ordinary Customer Group No. 1”]

Hmm, from now on, any new customers would be added to this group. If they wanted to chat or complain, they could do so in the group. Since they were all “victims,” they should have a lot in common.

And it saved her the trouble of dealing with them individually.

No sooner had the group name been changed than Young Master Lu Yang protested.

[Alpha Lu: Why “Ordinary Customer”???]

[Qin Qing: If you top up, I’ll add you to the VIP Customer Group.]

[Alpha Lu: You just said we couldn’t top up!!!]

[Qin Qing: Oh, the rules have changed now.]

[Alpha Lu: ╭(╯^╰)╮!]

[Alpha Lu: [Transfer] 2000]

[Alpha Lu: This is for me and my brother. Hurry and add us to the VIP group.]

Click to receive payment.

[Group Owner Qin Qing changed the group name to “VIP Customer Group No. 1”]

[Liang Jian: …]

[Alpha Lu: !!! So you’re just going to fleece us two sheep dry?]

[Qin Qing: @Alpha Lu, seeing as you’re our first VIP customer, I’ve decided to appoint you as co-administrator to assist me in managing the VIP Customer Group.]

Anyway, this guy was a chatterbox.

[Alpha Lu: @Liang Jian Bro, is she eyeing my free labor? And I’m paying to work?]

[Liang Jian: en]

Ahem, why state such blunt truths.

After a couple of complaints, Young Master Lu Yang didn’t refuse the assigned task; instead, he seemed a little smug. He grumbled about how there were only two people in the group, so what was there to manage? Then he went back to teasing Liang Jian, saying that now Liang Jian was under his command in the group and had to follow his arrangements…

He seemed to have completely forgotten that he was just crying over his longing.

[Liang Jian: …]

[Alpha Lu: (*^▽^*) ]

–

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city.

In a private room of a high-end club, Chen Daguang sipped his wine, a little distracted.

At the table, besides him, there were three other people.

His friend, and the husband of his wife’s best friend, Fang Chang, who had organized this gathering.

The other two he had met a few times; they were investors brought in by Fang Chang. It was rumored that one of them had invested 150 million, though he wasn’t sure if it was true.

Today, they were here to sign the contract. They hoped their assets would multiply several times over.

After three rounds of drinks, Fang Chang took out the contract and placed it aside. He raised his glass and toasted, “Thanks to the trust of you elder brothers, I will definitely operate well and live up to your expectations.”

The others also raised their glasses: “To Fortune, To Fortune.”

Chen Daguang also joined in and clinked glasses.

Fang Chang sat down and distributed the contracts to the three people present.

He asked with concern, “What’s wrong with Old Chen today? You seem a bit down.”

Running a hand through his hair, Chen Daguang said, “Well… I’ve had some financial issues these past two days. A payment was delayed by two days, and this… isn’t this holding things up? I’ve already urged them, but the earliest they can get it to me is tomorrow. So I…”

He spread his hands helplessly.

Fang Chang’s wine glass clinked on the table with a “ding.”

His face darkened: “Old Chen, aren’t you being a bit dishonest?”

“It’s not like I have a choice. Everyone knows about payments; sometimes they just get delayed by a few days…”

Fang Chang: “You were the one who insisted on it. I painstakingly secured these shares from others, and now that it’s time to sign, you’re bailing on me?”

His disappointment was evident.

Another investor chimed in, “What’s the big deal? If Boss Chen doesn’t want it, I’ll take it. I was just looking to buy more.” He raised a hand and beckoned, “Give me that contract.”

“Don’t cause trouble, you. I didn’t say I don’t want it.” Chen Daguang clutched the contract to his chest and apologized to Fang Chang, “No, no, Old Fang, what kind of relationship do we have? I want it, I definitely want it. Tomorrow, I’ll personally bring the money to your company and sign the contract with you.”

The investor who wanted to snatch the contract just watched with a cheerful expression.

Fang Chang’s expression finally softened a bit: “It’s settled then, tomorrow at the latest, no more delays. If it’s delayed again, I won’t be able to explain.”

“Absolutely, absolutely.” Chen Daguang picked up his wine glass and stood up from his seat, putting his arm around Fang Chang’s shoulder in a brotherly fashion as he toasted, “This is my fault. How about this, you can go back and amend the contract, and you can take an extra half a percent commission.”

Fang Chang clinked glasses with him: “You know, that’s not what I care about.”

“I know, I know, it’s my sincerity and my heartfelt intention.” Chen Daguang tilted his head back and drained the wine in his glass in one go. “You guys chat slowly, I’ll take my leave first. I’m going to chase that payment. It’s really driving me crazy.”

He kept a smiling face until he closed the private room door, then his expression dropped.

Leaving the club, Chen Daguang walked left and headed straight for the parking lot behind.

As soon as he entered the parking lot, a slightly old Audi flashed its lights.

He walked over, opened the back door, and got in.

Inside the car, a young driver was wearing headphones. Seeing him get in, he handed him another pair of headphones.

Chen Daguang: “How is it? Can you hear clearly?”

“Close distance, no problem at all.”

“After I left, was there anything unusual?”

“Nothing worth noting. They just complained about you a bit, then continued talking about other things. Now they’re telling dirty jokes.”

“Hmm, keep listening.” Chen Daguang leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes to rest.

He wouldn’t doubt a brother he had known for three years based on a stranger’s one-sided words.

But the human heart, sometimes, just can’t withstand being swayed and tested.

Since coming down the mountain, two sentences had been echoing in his ears: “Don’t sign the contract tonight, that person is a swindler.”

It was relentless, making him restless.

Who was she? How did she know? What was her motive?

His wife wasn’t interested in his business affairs outside, as long as he came home on time every day. So, even his wife didn’t know about this contract signing. Fang Chang had said they should make a fortune quietly, so only a few people at today’s dinner party knew about it.

He really couldn’t figure out where this information could have leaked from. Was it someone sent by those two investors? Inciting him not to sign the contract so they could snatch the shares?

Was this tactic too childish?

Regardless of the conspiracy behind it, a thin thread of suspicion had already bound him, pulling him along.

Chen Daguang certainly trusted Fang Chang, but what if? If it were true, he would face a broken capital chain, and problems would snowball towards him. Then he would truly be finished.

Better to be cautious.

He couldn’t openly investigate Fang Chang; if the information was false, alarming Fang Chang would ruin their relationship. Time was tight, so a discreet investigation was necessary.

Chen Daguang came up with a plan: he had someone get a set of wiretapping equipment and found an excuse to delay the signing for a day. If Fang Chang really had a problem, he would surely get anxious if Chen Daguang delayed signing, and when anxious, he would easily reveal his true colors.

The method was a bit crude, but there was no better way in a short time.

Taking advantage of the opportunity when he put his arm around Fang Chang’s shoulder to toast, he attached the wiretapping device to the back of Fang Chang’s collar.

Now, he only hoped that the young woman at the entrance of Baiyun Temple was a swindler, and that Fang Chang had no tricks up his sleeve.

The latter half of the dinner party didn’t cool down because of his departure; it remained very lively, and they even called in female escorts to accompany them for drinks.

Chen Daguang’s butt was numb before the party finally ended.

The driver in front called out to him, “Boss, they’re done over there and are getting ready to leave. This equipment has a distance limit.”

“Drive around to the front, find the right time to follow them. Just keep an eye on Fang Chang.” Chen Daguang raised his eyes, “This car…”

“This Audi was rented today; it’s not our car, so we won’t be recognized.”

“Hmm.”

Fang Chang’s car took a very normal route home, so Chen Daguang and his driver didn’t follow too closely, maintaining only the listening distance of the equipment.

Midway, Fang Chang made a phone call; the person on the other end was his wife.

“Wife… yes, it’s over, I’m on my way back… Let me ask you something. Does Chen Daguang have any financial problems recently? Have you heard anything from sister-in-law… No? Oh, never mind, I was just asking… Okay, I’ll be back soon.”

Hearing the other party directly call his name on the phone, Chen Daguang felt a little uncomfortable.

It wasn’t because he was uncomfortable being called by his name, but because when they weren’t face-to-face, they either called him Brother Chen or Old Chen. Behind his back, however, he was referred to differently… it couldn’t help but make him overthink.

After that call, the other party remained very quiet on the road. When they reached home, after the designated driver left, Fang Chang did not get out of the car.

Chen Daguang waited, but the channel was very quiet, only the buzzing of current could be heard. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he finally heard a new sound.

“No matter what, is it done?” It was an unfamiliar voice.

Fang Chang said, “The small fish bit the hook, but the big fish hasn’t yet.” His tone was completely different from usual; whether it was psychological or not, it sounded somewhat sinister.

“The big fish is suspicious? Should we withdraw early?”

“Heh, not necessarily, I know Chen Daguang. He doesn’t have that kind of brain. He said he has a little financial problem, and since I’m the one dealing with him, you guys shouldn’t act rashly. After we get the money, we’ll gradually withdraw as planned. Leaving suddenly would arouse suspicion and affect our withdrawal time.”

“Okay, waiting for your news.”

There was nothing else useful after that. It was all mundane conversation after returning home.

Putting down the headphones, the driver tentatively asked, “So, what do we do now?”

Heh, what else could they do!

Chen Daguang gnashed his teeth, almost breaking them. What a bastard! Since Chen Daguang had made his fortune, when had he ever been bullied to this extent?

Although the recording didn’t explicitly state it, the implied meaning was self-evident. He had trusted Fang Chang so much, yet that person had stabbed him in the back.

“Drive to the nearest Police Station and call the police!”

If the other party discovered the wiretap under his collar, they might run away early, so he had to act fast.